The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse opens in Palo Alto’s former Trader Vic’s

When the folks from Alexander’s Steakhouse took over Trader Vic’s in Palo Alto four months ago to open their seafood fine dining concept, it’s probably safe to say that they didn’t expect to take this road to their opening day.

But after a significant personnel shake-up that saw chef and COO Jeffrey Stout (and others, including chef de cuisine Chris Velazquez) leave a fortnight before the slated opening, The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse is slated to open Friday, November 9.

For the most part, the concept remains the same: a high-end seafood version of what Alexander’s has done on the red meat side at their Michelin-starred steakhouse.

The new chef is Yu Min Lin, a Taiwanese chef who was trained in Japan; his last job was at Providence in Los Angeles.

“His food is a touch more refined,” says newly appointed vice president Josh Rousseu. Though the tasting menu ($140) won’t be available at the outset, the opening menu includes plenty of seafood-focused appetizers ($10-$18) and entrees ($31-$65) a la carte.

The space is a big one: Nearly 200 seats including the bar and 50-seat patio, outfitted in white tablecloths, white leather chairs, white bars, and white orchids. All white everything.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Stout had this to say on his (public) Facebook page regarding his firing, which he describes as unjust: “It is a comical end that is motivated by greed and power. Games and lies were played that should not have been. An unbelievable end.”